Charitable institutions in Qatar: Pioneering support for achieving sustainable development and global prosperity

The humanitarian work 'relief and development' sector in the State of Qatar is witnessing remarkable growth and development, especially during the last two decades, becoming one of the paths that the State utilized to establish a new approach in the advancement of societies and countries in need, especially the least developed countries and countries that are exposed to adversity, natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
The charitable and humanitarian work undertaken by the Qatari humanitarian institutions derives its strength and philosophy from the Qatari society's religious values, universal human culture, civilized interaction with the human community, and long-standing traditions in helping those in need. It had honorable stances in support of the weak and the victims of humanitarian crises.
The least developed countries in the world are racing against time to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and Qatar will host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), next Sunday for five days from March 5-9. The conference will provide a forum for heads of state and government to address current challenges, obtain international support, and strengthen partnerships.
The LDC5 Conference represents an opportunity to accelerate sustainable development in the regions most in need of international assistance, as well as utilize the full potential of the 46 least developed countries in a way that helps them advance towards prosperity and
Qatar has worked hard to nurture and develop charitable and humanitarian work on sound foundations and solid rules that take into account the principles endorsed by Islam. It respond to international standards that have developed as a result of cultural and civilizational interaction among peoples.
In this context, Qatar has established a government agency that organizes these benevolent efforts. The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities started supporting, guiding, monitoring and supervising through direct communication and by setting regulations and laws to guide different organizations, associations and bodies.
The process of organising, supervising and setting standards for charitable and humanitarian work in the country contributed to the expansion of the map of humanitarian interventions for Qatari charitable institutions, which kept pace with international trends in development plans, and worked professionally in the areas of supporting education, health and economic empowerment in its various variations and ramifications. It presented a model in building partnerships with institutions at the local, regional and international levels, and strictly took into account the goals of sustainable development 2030, and the goals related to humanitarian and development work.
The Statistics of the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities indicate that the number of private charitable associations and institutions registered with it is more than 10. They play various roles at the local level, while some have emerged on the international scene through contributing and participating in humanitarian work, in cooperation and partnership with local institutions accredited in the beneficiary countries or with organizations and international agencies working in the relief and development field.
Qatar emphasised the importance of mobilizing resources to meet development challenges. This was expressed by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi at the high-level event, Investing in Education, Skills and Jobs in the Health Sector. HE said that the State of Qatar will continue to work as an active partner in the international community to promote and achieve goals related to humanitarian and development work and human rights and to mobilize all resources that can be used to help modernize and develop the social and health sector in countries in need.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs added that the State of Qatar plays a leading role in realizing the sustainable development goals on the local, regional, and international levels through providing assistance in the face of humanitarian and economic challenges and crises.
Qatari charitable institutions and societies were an important part of this supportive role towards the international community in facing the challenges of development and humanitarian crises. Qatar Red Crescent Society and Qatar Charity are two important Qatar models in this field.
Qatar Red Crescent Society statistics obtained by Qatar News Agency (QNA) indicate that it implemented projects worth more than 3 and a quarter billion Qatari riyals between 2016 and 2022, benefiting about 63 million people in 57 countries.
These projects include various development and relief sectors such as healthcare, water, sanitation, shelter, food, education, economic empowerment and social care, as well as humanitarian, voluntary and youth interventions and initiatives inside and outside the country.
To implement and supervise these projects and interventions, Qatar Red Crescent Society has 14 offices and representative missions outside the State of Qatar, in which 385 employees work, along with 27,546 male and female volunteers in the countries targeted by humanitarian and development intervention.
The Red Crescent relies on local and international partnerships in its international development interventions, as it constantly stresses the importance of partnership and cooperation in the success of charitable and humanitarian work, as no humanitarian agency can carry out the burdens of relief and development on its own without combining its efforts and resources with other international bodies, companies, and governmental and non-governmental institutions, in order to activate the principle of social responsibility and mobilize support at all levels.
From this standpoint, the number of Qatar Red Crescent partners has reached more than 100. Agreements and MOUs have been concluded with them as a legal framework for coordination, exchange of experiences and integration of implementation efforts.
The most prominent of these bodies are the World Health Organization, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Program, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Labour Organization in the Arab States, International Organization for Migration, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross, the Islamic Committee of the International Crescent, Doctors Without Borders, the Islamic Development Bank, the German Foundation for International Development, in addition to many other international institutions and organizations as well as governmental and local institutions in most countries of the world.
The Qatar Red Crescent Society is preparing to participate in the LDC5. Its participation is represented by the establishment of a joint pavilion with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies entitled 'Working With Local Leadership is the Key', in addition to organizing a discussion session on the same topic on March 6.
HE Secretary General of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), that the Red Crescent is looking forward to continuing its active humanitarian role as a national society representing the State of Qatar in the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
He added that they consider this international conference an opportunity to present their future vision on ways to activate the goals of sustainable development for the benefit of the less fortunate people, in addition to ways they can help them over overcome the challenges they face and achieve their aspirations for development, stability and raising the standard of living.
For its part, Qatar Charity works closely with communities affected by disasters and crises, as well as communities in need, to effectively assess their needs in order to provide effective, coordinated, integrated, and timely development interventions and humanitarian response.
Qatar Charity's projects cover more than 70 countries around the world, and it has 34 international field offices. It is seeking to open a number of other offices in countries, most of which are on the African continent.
Qatar Charity has succeeded in in building important partnerships with international organizations with the aim of serving humanitarian and development issues around the world, especially in areas of disasters and crises, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, the World Food Program, UNICEF, UNRWA, the World Health Organization, and other organizations.
Qatar Charity has also obtained the advisory status of the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 1997. It is also an observer member of the International Organization for Migration since 2004 and an associate member of the United Nations Department of Global Communications since 2019. It is also a member of the global network 'Start Network', UK since 2017.
Charitable Institutions in Qatar: Pioneering Support for Achieving Sustainable Development and Global Prosperity-2
General/ Qatar
The Director of the International Programs and Development Department at Qatar Charity Abdulaziz Jassim Hejji told QNA that the Charity has sought, since its establishment as an international humanitarian organization operating in 70 countries around the world, to achieve the sustainable development goals of combating poverty, eliminating hunger and supporting the health and education sectors, so that societies and peoples in poor and less developed countries enjoy their right to development and live in dignity, security and peace.
He stressed Qatar Charity's keenness in its various humanitarian projects and programs to ensure that all vulnerable groups affected by crises obtain their basic rights without discrimination, which reflects its vision in the field of development work and making an impact on the lives of beneficiaries.
He noted that Qatar Charity is keen to implement these projects through its field offices in more than 34 countries, and through its partnerships with international organizations and local partners.
Humanitarian work in Qatar does not stop at this point. In addition to these two institutions, other Qatari institutions participate in the international humanitarian movement, including, but not limited to, the Education Above All Foundation, which is the global initiative founded by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2012 to provide educational opportunities, especially in societies suffering from poverty and conflicts and ensure the opportunity for quality, equitable and comprehensive education for vulnerable and marginalized groups, especially in developing countries.
In addition to that, there is Silatech, which was also founded by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. The organization seeks to confront unemployment, enhance job opportunities for young people wherever they are, and provide the necessary resources for the development of their projects by providing wide and innovative solutions in the field of employment by working with local, regional and international partners.
The organization also encourages large-scale job creation, entrepreneurship, access to capital and markets, and youth participation in economic development; thus, contributing to the achievement of a number of Sustainable Development Goals.
These institutions and similar ones contributed to making Qatar the capital of humanitarian work in the world. Their experience in this field is truly a source of inspiration for countries and humanitarian and development organizations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees noticed Qatari excellence in this field, considering it a pioneering model at the regional and global levels. It affirms that the State of Qatar has pursued a strong humanitarian approach in the field of humanitarian work and has set an example to be followed at the regional and global levels.
Perhaps the LDC5 in Doha will allow the world to examine this experience and benefit from it when facing development challenges and humanitarian needs that are constantly increasing due to crises and natural disasters.
It is important to mention here that the United Nations estimates that a record number of people need humanitarian assistance during the current year, reaching 339 million people in 68 countries, an increase of about 65 million people from 2022. The estimated cost of the humanitarian response will reach 51.5 billion US dollars, which represents an increase of 25 percent compared to 2022.